Deirdre McCarrell Otis

Deirdre earned her B.A. from the College of St. Benedict. Prior to working at Ampersand Families, she taught ECFE, worked for Youth Frontiers, WomenVenture and in Mental Health Case Management for a medical clinic.

Deirdre is a mother of nine, including four adopted and five biological children. As of 2024 she and her husband have been foster parents to 38 children. Deirdre and Sheff started their marriage with international special needs adoption. She has 20 years’ experience walking in the trenches of FASD, RAD and attachment parenting. She has had speaking engagements relating to child advocacy at the Minnesota State Capitol, Foster Adopt MN and local news stations.

Outside of work Deirdre can be found on a field, rink or court supporting her children and foster children. Deirdre loves being active with her family, Irish mystery authors and the show Derry Girls. Deirdre and her family love to travel creatively as a big group and be active while exploring. A huge source of joy is keeping up with her foster placements and celebrating their milestones.

Deirdre is currently a graduate student at the College of St. Catherine in the Social Work, MSW program. Her graduate focus is Grief Counseling and Trauma Informed Child Welfare Studies. She is committed to always being an advocate for at-risk children.